Chronic Inflammation and Female Infertility: An Integrative TCM Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach, with Clinical Case Analysis

Published September 15, 2026 | Version v1.1 Journal article Open Chronic Inflammation and Female Infertility: An Integrative TCM Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach, with Clinical Case Analysis Authors/Creators Description This article titled "Chronic Inflammation and Female Infertility: An Integrative TCM Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach, with Clinical Case Analysis" is published in the New England Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 本文《慢性炎症與女性不孕——中醫整合診療思路與臨床病案解析》发表于《新英格兰中医杂志》(New England Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine)。 Summary: New York TCM Gynecology & Infertility Center, NY 11374 | 2. iHealth Integrative Acupuncture Clinic, CA 95050 Abstract: Chronic low-grade inflammation has been increasingly recognized as a common pathological link across diverse reproductive conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, chronic endometritis (CE), and unexplained or recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Prolonged inflammation impairs folliculogenesis, disrupts steroidogenesis, diminishes endometrial receptivity, and compromises implantation. This paper proposes an integrative TCM approach based on the triad of "Identify the Constitution—Differentiate the Pattern—Correct the Cause" (Shi Ti — Bian Zheng — Jiu Yin). Through two representative clinical cases, we demonstrate that clearing inflammatory heat, transforming phlegm-damp, resolving blood stasis, and tonifying the kidney restore immune homeostasis and optimize reproductive outcomes. Keywords: Female Infertility; Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation; TCM Inflammatory Constitution; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Chronic Endometritis; Integrative Chinese and Western Medicine 5. 1 Introduction: Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation in Reproductive Pathophysiology Infertility affects approximately 10%–15% of couples worldwide. Emerging immunological research reveals that sustained low-grade systemic and localized pelvic inflammation acts as a silent destroyer of female fecundity. Elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and chemokines disrupt the follicular microenvironment, induce granulosa cell apoptosis, impair mitochondrial energetics in oocytes, and alter endometrial decidualization. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), while the classical terminology does not encompass "cytokines" or "macrophage polarization," ancient physicians recognized that internal constraint of heat-toxin, damp-heat accumulation, and persistent blood stasis injure the Ren and Chong vessels and destabilize the uterine threshold (Bao Gong). ... 内容简介: English中文 Guoping Zheng¹*, Yuxin Wang² · Corresponding author: Guoping Zheng 1. 慢性炎症與女性不孕——中醫整合診療思路與臨床病案解析 鄭國平¹*,王宇歆² · 美國 1. 紐約中醫婦科及不孕症中心;2. 加州愛康針灸診所;* 通訊作者:鄭國平(health. com) 【摘要】 近年來,慢性低度炎症(chronic low-grade inflammation)被認爲是多種慢性疾病的重要共同病理基礎。 越來越多研究發現,多囊卵巢綜合徵(PCOS/POMS)、子宮內膜異位症、反覆種植失敗(RIF)、反覆妊娠丟失(RPL)等多種女性生殖疾病的發生發展,均可能與慢性炎症、免疫失衡及代謝異常密切相關。 本文首先從現代醫學角度概述慢性炎症的病理生理及與女性不孕關聯機制;探討體質、生活方式及環境因素等在慢性炎症形成中的作用;繼而結合中醫體質學說,引出"炎性體質"的概念,認爲中醫所論之寒、熱、痰、瘀等內生病邪,可能是慢性炎症在不同體質背景下的表現形式之一。 在此基礎上,作者根據多年臨牀經驗總結提煉出"識體—辨證—糾因"與"治標爲先—標本同治—治本收功"相結合的中醫整合診療思路。 前者強調識別體質偏頗、辨析病機特點並糾正導致炎症持續存在的生活方式及環境因素;後者強調根據疾病不同階段分層幹預,在改善局部病理狀態的同時,逐步恢復整體功能穩態。 通過多囊卵巢綜合徵(PCOS)及免疫性反覆妊娠丟失(RPL)兩個臨牀病案,本文展示了上述診療思路在不孕症臨牀中的具體應用,其結果提示:改善代謝異常、降低炎症負荷、調節免疫失衡及重建有利於受孕和妊娠維持的整體內環境,與患者生殖功能恢復及妊娠成功密切相關。 ... Summary: New York TCM Gynecology & Infertility Center, NY 11374 | 2. iHealth Integrative Acupuncture Clinic, CA 95050 Abstract: Chronic low-grade inflammation has been increasingly recognized as a common pathological link across diverse reproductive conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, chronic endometritis (CE), and unexplained or recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Prolonged inflammation impairs folliculogenesis, disrupts steroidogenesis, diminishes endometrial receptivity, and compromises implantation. This paper proposes an integrative TCM approach based on the triad of "Identify the Constitution—Differentiate the Pattern—Correct the Cause" (Shi Ti — Bian Zheng — Jiu Yin). Through two representative clinical cases, we demonstrate that clearing inflammatory heat, transforming phlegm-damp, resolving blood stasis, and tonifying the kidney restore immune homeostasis and optimize reproductive outcomes. Keywords: Female Infertility; Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation; TCM Inflammatory Constitution; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Chronic Endometritis; Integrative Chinese and Western Medicine 5. 1 Introduction: Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation in Reproductive Pathophysiology Infertility affects approximately 10%–15% of couples worldwide. Emerging immunological research reveals that sustained low-grade systemic and localized pelvic inflammation acts as a silent destroyer of female fecundity. Elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and chemokines disrupt the follicular microenvironment, induce granulosa cell apoptosis, impair mitochondrial energetics in oocytes, and alter endometrial decidualization. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), while the classical terminology does not encompass "cytokines" or "macrophage polarization," ancient physicians recognized that internal constraint of heat-toxin, damp-heat accumulation, and persistent blood stasis injure the Ren and Chong vessels and destabilize the uterine threshold (Bao Gong). ... 内容简介: English中文 Guoping Zheng¹*, Yuxin Wang² · Corresponding author: Guoping Zheng 1. 慢性炎症與女性不孕——中醫整合診療思路與臨床病案解析 鄭國平¹*,王宇歆² · 美國 1. 紐約中醫婦科及不孕症中心;2. 加州愛康針灸診所;* 通訊作者:鄭國平(health. com) 【摘要】 近年來,慢性低度炎症(chronic low-grade inflammation)被認爲是多種慢性疾病的重要共同病理基礎。 越來越多研究發現,多囊卵巢綜合徵(PCOS/POMS)、子宮內膜異位症、反覆種植失敗(RIF)、反覆妊娠丟失(RPL)等多種女性生殖疾病的發生發展,均可能與慢性炎症、免疫失衡及代謝異常密切相關。 本文首先從現代醫學角度概述慢性炎症的病理生理及與女性不孕關聯機制;探討體質、生活方式及環境因素等在慢性炎症形成中的作用;繼而結合中醫體質學說,引出"炎性體質"的概念,認爲中醫所論之寒、熱、痰、瘀等內生病邪,可能是慢性炎症在不同體質背景下的表現形式之一。 在此基礎上,作者根據多年臨牀經驗總結提煉出"識體—辨證—糾因"與"治標爲先—標本同治—治本收功"相結合的中醫整合診療思路。 前者強調識別體質偏頗、辨析病機特點並糾正導致炎症持續存在的生活方式及環境因素;後者強調根據疾病不同階段分層幹預,在改善局部病理狀態的同時,逐步恢復整體功能穩態。 通過多囊卵巢綜合徵(PCOS)及免疫性反覆妊娠丟失(RPL)兩個臨牀病案,本文展示了上述診療思路在不孕症臨牀中的具體應用,其結果提示:改善代謝異常、降低炎症負荷、調節免疫失衡及重建有利於受孕和妊娠維持的整體內環境,與患者生殖功能恢復及妊娠成功密切相關。 ... Notes Files chronic-inflammation-and-female-infertility-an-integrative-tcm-diagnostic-and-therapeutic-approach-with-clinical-case-analysis.pdf Files (328.2 kB) | Name | Size | Download all | |---|---|---| | md5:374a329c7dc3af7fbd8496d03dd4a44d | 328.2 kB | Preview Download | Additional details Identifiers - ISSN - 1536-8017 Related works - Is identical to - Journal article: https://nejtcm.org/chronic-inflammation-and-female-infertility-an-integrative-tcm-diagnostic-and-therapeutic-approach-with-clinical-case-analysis/ (URL)